Mantua – Throughout its 60-year history, the Crestwood Scarlet Guard Marching Band has had a long tradition of excellence. The band consistently appears at OMEA State Finals and Bands of America Championships, and in 2012 was named Class A Regional Champion at the Pittsburgh & Pontiac Regional Championships. Recently, they have been invited to participate in the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in November in Indianapolis. Crestwood High School Band Director Kate Ferguson beams, “Only 90 of the countries finest bands perform in this event each year, and this year, we have the opportunity to go!”
In preparation for this prestigious honor, the band hopes to enlist community support to produce a massive decorative tarp that the Scarlet Guard will incorporate into their performance. Ms. Ferguson explained, “We have been looking for an opportunity to try to include the community more in what we do, and truly reach out to everyone, and the idea of WARPT came to us — We Are All Real People Together.” Her husband Rob Ferguson, Program Designer of the Crestwood Scarlet Guard, continued, “We’ve come to realize that we all have our own problems and curved paths, but that is ultimately what creates a community among us. This started as a concept for a competitive marching band program, but we hope it can become something so much larger.”
To that end, the Scarlet Guard is accepting donations from real people from the community to be represented in the 29,000 square foot banner the band will showcase at the National Championships in November, just three short months — and 327 miles — away.
Mr. Ferguson continued, “Please take a moment and help support this extraordinary experience, not only for the students involved, but for all of us…. real people…everywhere!” Donations for the Real People Project can be made online at realpeopleproject.org, in person at the High School office, or by mail to: Kate Ferguson, Crestwood High School, 10919 Main Street in Mantua.
The banner or tarp will be used, weather permitting, throughout the fall at local competitive events and as time and weather permit, during post game presentations after home varsity football games. To see the Crestwood Scarlet Guard marching band in action, plan to attend the next home varsity football game on Friday, August 30th at 7 pm at Jack Lambert Stadium, or see them in action at the Mantua Potato Festival parade on September 8th at 1 pm.
